Turkey, home to 70 out of the 90 minerals traded globally, is significantly enhancing its economic impact through mining. The mining sector’s indirect contribution to the national economy is steadily increasing. Minerals, providing 11 essential raw materials that constitute 67% of total exports, are driving export growth. Turkey, holding the world’s largest boron reserves, is the leading producer of boron. It also ranks second globally in feldspar production, used in the glass, ceramic, welding electrodes, and paint industries. In the textile sector, Turkey stands out with pumice, and it is second in the world in the production of soda ash, used in various products including powdered detergents, soap, and rechargeable batteries. Furthermore, Turkey is the third-largest producer of vermiculite for industrial and agricultural purposes, fourth in chrome and diatomite production, and fifth in perlite and cement clinker capacity. In 2022, Turkey ranked seventh among 165 countries in terms of mineral production diversity. The mining sector’s contribution to the GDP reached 307 billion Turkish lira.
AVERAGE PRODUCTION OF 758 MILLION TONS
According to a report presented by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources to the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Turkey has produced an average of 758 million tons of minerals annually over the past decade. In 2022, mineral production reached approximately 826 million tons. The 2022 production breakdown includes 66% cement raw materials, 13.8% industrial raw materials, 12.8% energy raw materials, 5.2% metallic minerals, and 2.2% natural stones.
136,000 EMPLOYMENT
From 2009 to 2023, the average number of people directly employed in the mining sector was approximately 136,234 annually. In 2023, the mining sector employed a total of 143,504 people, with 39.9% in quarrying and other activities, 28.1% in coal and lignite extraction, 22.9% in metal ore mining, and 9.1% in supportive mining activities. In 2023, the mining sector contributed 307 billion Turkish lira to the GDP, accounting for 1.2% of the GDP. Since 2017, the sector has continued to increase its share and contribution to the GDP.
BOOSTING EXPORTS
The indirect contribution of mining to the national economy continues to rise. In this context, mineral exports reached 5.75 billion dollars. Although the share of minerals in total exports was 2.25%, minerals provided raw materials for 11 key sectors (iron and steel, cement, glass, ceramics, chemicals, jewelry, automotive-shipping, defense industry, electrical-electronic, and machinery industries), which account for 67% of total exports, thus driving export growth.
